Catapult



May 17, 1955 N. E. WALKER CATAPULT Filed Jan. 19', 1952 IN V EN TOR.

Nvil Ze EWQ Lker United States Patent 2,708,431 CATAPULT Neville E.Walker, Portland, 0reg., assiguor to American Junior Aircraft Company,Portland, 0reg., a corporation of Oregon Application January 19, 1952,Serial No. 267,217 6 Claims. (Cl. 124-22) My invention relates to acatapult which is small enough to be held in one hand and which has anelastic launching mechanism particularly adapted to launch a miniatureor toy airplane of the glider or free flight type. More particularly,this catapult carries a guided runway along which the elastic mechanismis extendible and a novel grip means is provided selectively forretaining or for releasing the extended elastic mechanism. Thesecooperative structures allow a launching operation to be initiated witha preselected force while the catapult is aimed at a preselectedvertical angle or rotational tilt so the flight pattern of the miniatureairplane can be predicted before launching and so this flight pattern mycopending application Serial No. 238,115, filed July 23, 1951, nowPatent No. 2,664,666, and entitled Acrobatic Toy Airplane. Another willbe found in my United States Patent Number 2,364,498 entitled WeightedGliders.

The above disclosed balsa wood gliders are basic examples of theproducts of the ready-to-fiy toy or miniature airplane industry. Amajority of these products are sold to school age children. Bypracticing, such a child soon can learn to adjust and to throw a gliderso as to accomplish various aerial acrobatics. For example, by adjustingthe flight control surfaces and by varying the speed and angle of throw,a practiced child can direct the execution of loops, sweeping turns,spirals, and many other acrobatics and maneuvers simulating those ofactual aircraft. The instant invention is directed to a mechanicaldevice which will replace and will improve upon this conventional handlaunching.

Having in mind the fact that the execution of acrobatics with aminiature glider calls for a great deal of skill and practice, one ofthe prime objects of my invention is to provide a mechanical catapultdevice which can be held in the hand and which can be varied both inspeed of launching and in angle or direction of launching so that evenan inexperienced or a very young child can accomplish such acrobatics.Thus, because less practice will be required to master the control of aglider and because longer and more intricate flight patterns can be madewith the catapult, the market both for the glider and the catapult willbe broadened and the sales volume will be enhanced.

In appreciation of yet another advantage of my invention, it will beunderstood that miniature glider type airplanes conventionally aremarketed through hobby and toy shops and through department and varietystores. Because of the nature of the product, however, it hitherto hasbeen impractical for inexperienced salespeople to demonstrate, indoors,the actual flight of such an airplane. In'fact, the danger of collisionwith customers, salespeople, and articles on display has caused many ofthese retail outlets to limit the active indoor demonstration ofminiature gliders.

Another factor limiting the demonstration and, hence,

the sales volume of balsa wood gliders is that the average store clerkdoes not possess suflicient skill personally to launch the airplane sothe flight will follow a preselected pattern. Accordingly, either theglider is not demonstrated or collisions with customers and salespeopleand the loss of many gliders must be counted upon. The instantinvention, however, overcomes these disadvantages. Thus, my catapult sodirects the launching of a miniature airplane that a preselected flightpattern will be followed and collisions will be avoided. Further,because the device is mechanical in operation, the flight patternexactly can be duplicated, time after time, even by an inexperiencedstore clerk. Indoor demonstrations, by a store clerk, thus are practicaland the sales volume of both airplanes and catapults is increased.

In accomplishment of the above objects and in the securing of saidadvantages, my catapult provides an elongated frame member which isadapted to be held in one hand and which carries a channel indentationextending the length thereof to define a runway. The sides of the runwayare bounded by laterally spaced guides and both an extendible elasticlaunching mechanism and the fuselage of a miniature airplane arereceivable therein. Further, in cooperation with the elastic launchingmechanism, I provide a trigger grip means which is movable, by theforefinger of the hand holding the catapult, between a position grippingthe elastic mechanism and a position freeing the elastic mechanism for alaunching movement. In use, the fuselage of a glider (or the shaft of anarrow or dart) is placed in the runway between the guides and theelastic launching mechanism is looped about the rear thereof.Thereafter, the elastic mechanism may be tensioned to eifect a launchingmovement of any desired velocity simply by moving the airplane andstretching the elastic mechanism back along the runway any desireddistance, the force of the elastic being roughly proportional to theextension distance.

Further, the flight pattern of the miniature airplane can be preselectedby tilting, adjusting, and aiming the catapult prior to the releasing ofthe trigger mechanism to launch a flight. In this manner, the airplanecan be demonstrated in a crowded department store or a child soon canlearn to accomplish a number of aerial acrobatics and maneuvers sincethe flight path may be preselected and predetermined with each of thevariable launching factors being mechanically determinable. That is tosay, when a miniature airplane is thrown by hand, the variable launchingfactors of tilt, angle of initial climb, and force or velocity alldepend upon the judgment and muscular coordination of the personeflecting the hand launching. However, with the catapult of the instantinvention, each of these variable factors is made dependent upon amechanical structure which can be preset or preselected to an exactdegree.

Another object of my invention is to provide a catapult which is shapedlike a pistol and in which the release for the launching mechanism isplaced under the control of a trigger-like mechanism so the catapultrests easily within the hand and the manipulation thereof will comenaturally to a child or an inexperienced store clerk.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent in thefollowing description, taken with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are related top and side views of a catapult made inaccord with my invention, these figures showing a miniature glider-typeairplane in position for launching upon the runway of the catapult andshowing,

the parts in a grip position prior to launching;

Fig. 3 is a detail view, taken substantially in the direction of thearrows 33 of Fig. 2, showing the slots at the sides of the runway, theguides for the runway, and the manner in which the elastic launchingmechanism is secured to the frame when this mechanism takes the form ofa rubber band or the equivalent;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the catapult showing the parts in the releaseposition just after a miniature airplane or the like has been launchedthereby;

Fig. 5 is a section view, taken substantially on the lines 55 of Fig. 4,better indicating the operative relationship of the trigger gripmechanism and the elongated runway mechanism; and

Fig. 6 is a section view, taken substantially on the alfords a minimalfabrication cost and allows a minimal 1 sale price commensurate with themarket which the cata pult serves.

In order that the catapult easily may be held in the hand andmanipulated by one finger to effect a launching, the frame member 7 ismade in the shape of a pistol having an elongated barrel 9, a hand gripportion 10,

and an open finger guard 11. Further, the two halves 7a and 7b of theframe member are recessed so as to bound a hollow internal chamber 12which extends through the barrel 9 and the hand grip portion it as shownin Fig. 5. This hollow internal chamber serves to house the trigger gripand release mechanism of the catapult as hereinafter will be explained.

Turning now to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that an elongated channelindentation 13 opens from the top of the frame member and extendslongitudinally the length of the frame to define a runway. Incooperation therewith a pair of elongated strips 14 extend laterally inand over the side margins of the runway and extend longitudinally of theframe member parallel to the runway to define a pair of laterally spacedguides. This guide function best is shown, in conjunction with aminiature airplane 17, in Fig. 1. Thus, the strips 14- overiie therunway 13 to bound a slot 15 at each side of the runway and,

as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the fuselage 16 of the miniatureairplane is roughly complementary to the width of the runway 13 so thestrips 14 will act as guides along the sides of the fuselage when theairplane is launched. The slots 15 in turn, accommodate the legs of anelastic band or the like so the fuselage will not bind in launching.

To define an elastic launching mechanism, I prefer to employ a loopedrubber band 18 and secure one end thereof to the frame member 7 by meansof a pair of dowel pins 19. The two elongated legs of the rubber bandextend longitudinally of the frame member within corresponding ones ofthe slots 15. Thus, as can be seen, each of the slots 15 provides alateral width at least as great as the thickness of one leg of therubber band. Intermediate the ends of the frame or barrel, the strips 14are pierced by twin cutaway portions 20 (see Fig. 4) and the oppositeend or connecting section of the rubber band spans the runway at thispoint. Yet further, a second pair of upstanding dowel pins 21 arearranged inside the loop of the rubber band 18 to define both a stopmeans and a spreader. That is to say, contraction of the rubber bandterminates when the end thereof contacts the pins 21 and the desiredlateral spacing of the legs of the rubber band is maintained in front ofthe cutaway portions 20 by the pins 21.

Returning now to the hollow chamber 12, I have shown an elongatedtrigger grip mechanism 22 which pivotally is. mounted therein as at 23.This member 22 extends vertically up to. intercept one side of therunway 13 and one of, theslots 15. as shown inFigs. 4 and 6. Where.

this interception is evident, a sloping recess 25 is formed in the sideof the frame member and the trigger grip member 22 is provided with atapered follower portion 24 which is complementary to the recess. Thus,the follower portion is wedge shaped so pivotal movement thereof aboutthe pivot axis 23 will effect a cam-like or sliding coaction between thefollower 24 and the sloping recess 25 to move the former laterallytoward and away from the runway 13. in Figs. 1 and 2, the trigger gripmember is shown in the forward or grip position and, in Figs. 4 and 5,it is shown in the rear or release position. If desired, a tensionspring 26 may be provided to bias the trigger grip member toward theposition of Figs. 1 and 2.

As is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rubber band i3 is extendiblelongitudinally of the runway 13- to define a loaded position in whichthe looped end portion thereof lies beyond the end of the runway.Progressing rearwarclly along the runway (Fig. l), the legs of therubber band are shielded by and lie within the slots 15. Rearwardly ofthe pins 21, however, one of the legs is forced inwardly against theside of the fuselage 16 and the other leg still lies within one of theslots 15. This disposition is caused by the grip and the contact of thetapered follower 24 with one leg of the rubber band. Accordingly, itwill be noted that the trigger grip member 22 actually does not contactthe fuselage 16 but, rather, frictionally engages the rubber band, inthe bight thereof, and forces the fuselage against the opposite guide14. This is an important feature of my invention because, in thismanner, the inherent elasticity and frictional engagement of the rubberbandits is made to cooperate with the tapered follower 24 to retain thefollower in the loaded or grip position. Further, the inherentelasticity of the rubber band, in the extended position, exerts a forcelongitudinally of the runway 13 from left to right in Fig. 1. This forceand the friction grip of the tapered follower 24 with the rubber bandwedge the follower more tightly between the sloping recess 25 and theleg of the rubber band. Thus, I need not employ complicated catches orthe like to hold the miniature airplane 17 in place, yet the more therubber band is extended, the greater the holding force of the taperedfollower 24.

In use, it will be seen that a. portion of the trigger grip member 22protrudes within the finger guard II as shown at 27 in Figs. 2 and 5.This protrusion and the pistol-like shape of the catapult, allow thedevice to be ield in one hand and to be fired, to effect a launchingmovement, merely by pulling rearwardly on the trigger portion 27. Thus,even a small child or an inexperienced store clerk will possesssufiicient mechanical know-how to operate the catapult.

To illustrate a typical launching operation, let it be assumed that theminiature, glider type airplane 17 of Figs. 1 and 2 is to be flown in apreselected flight pattern. Firstly, the main wing 28 of the airplanewill be shifted fore or aft in a slot of the fuselage 16. Thisadjustment will determine the location of the center of lift inrelationship to the center of mass of the airplane as is well known tothose skilled in the art.

After the wing is adjusted, the fuselage 16 is fitted in the runway 13so that the rear of the fuselage is at a point just forward of thecutaway portions 20. Thereafter, the airplane is moved rearwardly alongthe runway and the back of the fuselage picks up the connecting sectionor transverse portion of the rubber band 18 and carries it along. This,of course, extends the rubber band and the further the airplane is movedrearwardly, the greater will be the force and velocity of launching.Further, as the airplane is moved rearwardly in the run-.

way, the rubber band 18 slides over the surface of the tapered follower24. However, once the desiredlaunching position has been achieved. andthe. airplane. is released, a. slight. forward movement. thereof willcause the tapered follower 2d to wedge tightly between the slopingrecess 25 and the fuselage (against the bight of the rubber band) toprevent further forward movement of the airplane. Spring 26 may help thewedge.

To launch the airplane, the catapult is held in the hand and the desiredangle and rotational tilt of launching is preselected by moving the handand the catapult accordingly. For example, a sharp left bank of theairplane may be initiated merely by tilting the catapult to the left sothe airplane is launched at a high velocity in the correct attitude toachieve this maneuver. With the catapult arranged as desired, a rearwardforce is exerted on the portion 27 of the trigger grip mechanism (seethe arrow 29 in Fig. 5). A pull on this trigger portion will release thetapered follower 24 to allow the elastic launching mechanism to contractand project the airplane forwardly along the runway at high velocity. Asthe airplane leaves the runway and the rubber band contracts, the loopof the latter will catch on the two pins 21 to reset the rubber band inposition for reloading. At the same time, the tension spring 26 willmove the trigger grip mechanism 22 forwardly from the position shown inFigs. 4 and 5 to the position of Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, an automatic resetof the entire operating mechanism of the catapult is effectedimmediately after each launching operation.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have provided acatapult which will initiate a launching operation with a preselectedforce and which can be held in the hand and aimed at a preselected angleand tilt so the flight pattern of a miniature airplane can be predictedand so this flight pattern exactly can be duplicated time after timewhen desired. By using this catapult, in contrast with hand launching, achild soon can learn to fiy a predetermined flight pattern and a storeclerk, with little experience, can learn to demonstrate a miniature,glider type airplane in a crowded department store.

I claim:

1. A catapult, comprising an elongated frame member having a loopedelastic band launching device secured adjacent one end thereof andextensible longitudinally thereof, and a grip means pivotally mountedadjacent the other end of said frame member frictionally andcompressively to pinch and engage said looped elastic band externally ofthe bight thereof, said frame member other end having a sloping cam andsaid grip means including complementary follower means which is movableover said cam and laterally toward and away from the bight of saidelastic hand during pivotal movement of the grip means.

2. A catapult, comprising a hollow frame member having an elongatedbarrel, a continuous runway extending longitudinally of said barrel andopen to the top thereof, said runway having a pair of elongated slotsopening laterally from the sides thereof and extending longitudinallyalong said barrel, twin cutaway portions opening to said pair of slotsand housing vertical pins intermediate the ends of said runway, asloping recess offset laterally from said runway and extendingtransversely of said frame, a grip means mounted pivotally within saidhollow chamber and extending along said sloping recess for cooperationwith the latter in selective lateral movement between a grip and arelease position, and an elastic launching mechanism secured forwardlyto said barrel and extendible longitudinally back along said pair ofelongated slots and under said cutaway portions past the said verticalpins.

3. A catapult, comprising a hollow frame member, a continuous runwayextending longitudinally of said frame and open to the top thereof, saidhollow frame bounding a hollow internal chamber, and a trigger gripmeans mounted pivotally within said hollow chamber for selective lateralmovement between a grip and a release position, respectively, to abutand clear said runway, a sloping recess ofiset laterally from saidrunway and extending transversely of said frame, said trigger meansincluding a tapered wedge-shaped follower complementary to and slidableover said sloping recess during pivotal movement of said trigger meansselectively to move said follower laterally into abutment with saidrunway.

4. A catapult, comprising a hollow pistol-shaped frame member having anelongated barrel, a continuous runway extending longitudinally of saidbarrel and open to the top thereof, said runway having a pair ofelongated slots opening laterally from the sides thereof and extendinglongitudinally along said barrel, said hollow frame bounding a hollowinternal chamber, a trigger grip means mounted pivotally within saidhollow chamber for selective lateral movement between a grip and arelease position, respectively, to abut and clear said runway, elasticmeans for biasing said trigger to said grip position, and a loopedelastic band launching mechanism secured forwardly to said barrel andextendible longitudinally back along said pair of elongated slots pastsaid trigger means, said trigger means including a tapered followercomplementary to and slidable over said sloping recess during pivotalmovement of said trigger means selectively to move said followerlaterally toward said runway and against an intermediate portion of saidlooped extended elastic band.

5. A catapult, comprising an elongated frame member, an elongatedchannel indentation opening inwardly from the top of said frame memberand extending longitudinally the length of the frame to define a runway,a pair of slots indented laterally from the runway and extendinglongitudinally of the frame member, an elastic mechanism secured to oneend of said frame member and having a U- shape defined by two elongatedlegs and a connecting section, said elastic mechanism legs extendinglongitudinally of the frame member within corresponding ones of saidslots, and trigger means selectively for gripping compressively one ofthe extended legs to retain the elastic mechanism in said loadedposition and for releasing the said one leg to permit return of theelastic mechanism to a release position, a stop means intercepting saidslots intermediate the ends thereof and arranged inside said elasticmechanism U-shape to define the release position of the latter.

6. A catapult, comprising an elongated hollow frame member bounding ahollow chamber, an elongated channel extending longitudinally the lengthof the frame to define a runway, a pair of elongated strips extendinglaterally in and over the side margins of said runway channel andextending longitudinally of the frame member parallel to said runway todefine a pair of laterally spaced guides, said runway and guidestogether bounding a pair of slots indented laterally from the runway andextending longitudinally of the frame member, and a rubber bandlaunching mechanism secured to one end of said frame member and havingtwo elongated legs and a connecting section, the legs of said rubberband extending longitudinally of the frame member within correspondingones of said slots, said connecting section spanning said runway whenthe rubber band defines a release position, said rubber band beingextendible longitudinally of the runway to define a loaded position inwhich said connecting section lies beyond the end of the runway, and awedge-shaped trigger means selectively for gripping compressively one ofthe extended legs to retain the rubber band in said loaded position andfor releasing the said one leg to permit return of the rubber band to arelease position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS222,216 Washburne Dec. 2, 1879 262,981 Reed et al. Aug. 22, 18821,597,532 Mentzer Aug. 24, 1926 2,279,457 Gensmer Apr. 14, 19422,634,549 Langos Apr. 14, 1953

